Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Director Joe Wright faces new challenges in his newest outing, Pan as he takes-on a magical and beloved children’s story with great success. Whimsical writer Jason Fuchs tells us a new version of Peter Pan which is sure to delight, this time around the story that led to Peter discovering his destiny.
The Movie begins by focusing on a young orphaned boy named Peter (Levi Miller) conversing with one of his friends in the orphanage. They are often together as they plan a variety of mischievous antics against the nun who resides over the orphanage. However, things take a turn for the worst, when the nun sells the orphans to the malevolent Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) as he enslaves the children to mine for fairy dust. However Peter being the playful lad that he is, decides to cause a little bit of havoc in an already chaotic place with the help of his good friend Hook (Garrett Hedlund) as the two of them venture off to save Neverland.
What makes Pan such a fun Film is the performances from the principal members of the cast. Hugh Jackman is absolutely electric in one of his most eccentric roles to date. He brings a charming comedic sense and some much needed fear for good measure to the role of Blackbeard, which works extraordinarily well. Levi Miller also appears to be having a blast while portraying the magical young Peter Pan as he is on a journey of self-discovery to realize that he is the Pan that Neverland has been longing for. However, Rooney Mara who plays Tiger Lily is also great, despite having only a small amount of screen time.
Pan is fun for audiences of all ages and it boasts quite the soundtrack. The first song in the Movie is a choir of children featuring Hugh Jackman covering Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. The special effects as well in the Movie are extraordinary and bring a new level of life to a treasured story.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release PAN in theatres on Friday, October 9, 2015.
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